Performing and theater have always been a part of him, whether it was expressed through his acting or work behind the curtain. This wasn’t something he could ever let go of, and he plans to continue pursuing that passion for theater even further here at Texas High.

English and theater teacher, Brandon Shoemaker, has taken on the position of assistant director for Texas High’s theater program and is beginning his new position in the production company with the play “Clue”. He was first made aware of the program through the Texas High theater teachers.

“I was a theater director in South Carolina for 10 years, [but] I had friends who already worked at THS and I got to know Mrs. Fleeter and the previous director, Mrs. Newton, for a few years,” Shoemaker said.

After much convincing from the Texas High theater teachers, Shoemaker decided to take a position here at Texas High and help out the theater department by becoming the assistant director. 

“As assistant director, I have to fill in anytime the director can’t be there,” Shoemaker said. “I work with the director to make choices in terms of everything ranging from what shows we do in the season, hair, makeup, costume and set.” 

This, however, is nothing new to Shoemaker, who has been a member of several productions as an actor, director and stage manager.

“I have acted many times in community theater, and in school productions, I’ve done a lot of musicals,” Shoemaker said. “My biggest role has probably been as Edna in ‘Hairspray’. I’ve actually performed that role twice. I’ve also done some stage management, but I didn’t really enjoy it.”

Besides his love and interest in theater, the theater teacher also finds the students’ reactions and attitudes toward him to be a significant positive factor in the job.